José Mourinho reveals he was approached for the role of national coach of Portugal. The AS Roma trainer rejected the proposal.
“Today I can tell you about something that probably doesn’t really interest you,” Mourinho said after the Coppa Italia game against Genoa. “But I want to thank the president of the Portuguese federation. His words have made me proud.”
The Roma coach referred to the conversation with Fernando Gomes about the possibility of taking over the national team from Fernando Santos, who retired after the World Cup. “I was not his first, but also his only choice. But I’ve decided not to. I’m here and that’s what matters.”
Mourinho’s story does not fit Gomes’s words when presenting Roberto Martínez as Portugal’s new national coach. “When drawing up a profile, we spoke to many people. I spoke with most of the Portuguese trainers. The only concrete proposal was made to Martínez,” said the federation chairman.
Paulo Dybala’s return to Rome
In related news, Paulo Dybala had a great evening with AS Roma on Thursday. After his honor as world champion, he was crowned match winner as a substitute. And thanks to Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho initially placed Dybala on the bench on Thursday. After the first half, the Portuguese thought it advisable to bring the attacker within the lines to force Genoa to its knees in the battle for the Coppa Italia. The coach mentioned, “Paulo is a player who can make the team and the coach better. The music is different with him.”
Dybala lived up to Mourinho’s beautiful words fifteen minutes after his entrance. After a nice solo he rounded it off nicely. With that he also repaid the confidence of the Portuguese. The Argentinian owes him a lot of thanks.
“You know what the coach has done for football. He won everything and he wanted me badly. And I am a world champion thanks to him,” Dybala told Sky Italia. “I will always do my best for him and the team because they helped me.”
